In these lectures Koenig explores the human being and social life, the individual and community, from an imaginative and often radical perspective. These explorations range majestically from masks and archetypal images, the threefold constitution in man and woman, the karma of vocation, and the fundamental social law, to the place of work, religion and culture within the threefold social organism, and karma and reincarnation.

These lectures arose from Karl Koenig's experiences in building up Camphill Communities with extraordinary people with special needs. They are important both for the work in Camphill, as well as more broadly in the field of social therapy and beyond.

This is a revised and expanded edition of the Village Conference Lectures of Karl Koenig, previously published as In Need of Special Understanding.